Improvement in trusses



lJNITED STATES` PATENT OEEICE.

JACOB A. SHERMAN, OF NEY YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN TRUSSES.

Spccilication l'orniingpart of Letters Patent No. 55,724, dated June 19, 1866.

To all whom it may concern.

Bc it known that I, JACOB A. SHERMAN, of the city and State ofNew York, have invented, made, and applied to use a certain new and useful Improvement in Trusses; and I do hereby declare the i'ollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description ot' the said invention, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved truss. Fig. 2 is a back view ofthe pressure-spring of the truss. Fig. 3 is a plan ot' said pressuresprii'ig. Fig. 4 is a side view. and Fig. 5 is a view ot the back ofthe hernial pad. Fig. 6 is a section of the pressure buttons or pads at the ends of the truss-springs. Similar marks of reference denote the saine parts. A

The nature of my said invention consists in a pressure-spring between two curved bars, which spring is curved so as to produce a pressure toward the person to hold the pad to the hernia, and at the outer ends of the bars are curved springs to clasp the hips,having peculiar pressure-buttons at their ends. The springs and bars are adjustable so as to stand at the desired angle toward each other, and the pad is constructed so as to give pressure at the upper or lower portion otl the pad, as may be required for the hernia.

1n the dra-wings, ais my pressure-spring, curved inward. b and c are curved metal bars attached at their ends by rivets to the clips d and c, that slip over the spring a; and 1 and 2 are screws passing through segmental slots in the spring t for securing' the bars firmly at any angle at which they may be placed, so as to accommodate the shape of the person orthe position of the hernia.

The ends of the arms b and c are litted with curved hip-springs f and g, attached by the clips 3 and 4 and screws 5 and 6 in segmental slots similar to those in the plate a, so that the springsf and g can he placed on thc line of or at an angle to the bars b and c.

At the ends of the springs fand g are the pressure-buttons 7L h, formed of hard rubber or other material, and each of these has in it a flanged nut, fi, introduced from the inside and receiving the button-screw 7. (see Fig. 6,) passing through a hole in the springg orf, so as to hold the button h lirml y in place, and at the same time present to the body of the wearer a smooth surface that will not make any injury or irritation, as sometimes arises from the point of a screw coming through the pad.

The back strap, k, extends from one 'of the lnitton-heads, 7, to the other to aid in holding the truss to place. tmay, however, be sometimes worn without this back strap, 7c.`

The hernial pad a is formed upon a plate, at the back of which is a double-hinged attachment, by which pressure may be given either at the tcp'or the bottom of the pad. Upon the plate ofthis pad a hii'ige, 11, is formed, connecting' the lever-plate o, and at the outer end of the plate 0 is a second hinge, 12, for a plate carrying the button 13, which button is received and secured by the clip p and its setscrew to the spring a.

q is a lever on a fulerum, 14, at one end of which is a screw, 15. The other end takes beneath the lever 0.

16 is a lever-arm extending from o, and provided with a hook at its end.

The hinges 11 and 12 are placed diagonally, as seen in Fig. 5. Hence the pad u will not move on the hingesat right angles to the spring a., but when applied to the person will conform to the shape of the body at the groin as it is pressed inward upon a hernia.

The pad a is to be placed in the proper position over the hernia before the clip p is tightened by its set-screw.

1f pressure is desired mostly at the bottom of the pad the strap r' from the back strap, k, is hooked over the arm 16, and the hinge 12 becomes the point ot' motion for the pad, and it is pressed inward and upward at the bottom. It' the pressure is to be given at the top of the pad the screw 15 is screwed in, which by the lever q increases the distance between the hinge 12 and the pad n. The lever o, ineving upon the hinge 11, throws the pad in at the upper end and right-hand edge, (to the wcarer,) so as to press upon a hernia and at the same time conform to the shape of the groin. One of the inclined hinges, 11 or 12, might be dispensed with it' it is desired that only the top or the bottom ot' the pad be pressed inward.

It will be evident that the pad may be applied on the left side of the person, or according to the position of the hernia, the instrument being constructed accordingly; and in cases where there is a decided rupture on both sides a second plate, a, and pad may be introduced, the bar c being divided for that purpose.

The springsfand g may be made of single leaves of any desired length or strength, or two or more leaves may be employed, as shown at the springf, and thc spring a may also be made with two or more leaves.

What l claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The curved pressure-spring a, introduced between the bars b ande, and carrying the truss-pad, as specified.

2. The clips d, e, 3, and 4, to which the ends of the bars b or a are attached, in combination with the segmental slots and clamping-screws for connecting the bars b c to the respective springs, a, j', org, and allowing for adjustment, as set forth.

3. The inclined hinge 1l or 12, for uniting the pad to the truss-spring a, so as to allow the adjustment of the pad, as specified.

4. The lever q and screw 15, in combination with the lever 0 and diagonal hinges 11 and 12, as and for the purposes set forth.

In witness whereof` I have hereunto set my signature this 28th day of April, A. D. 1866.

J. A. SHERMAN.

Witnesses:

CEAS. H. SMITH, GEo.`D. WALKER. 

